Geelong went into Thursday's game in search of a response, looking to regain momentum in their season and with the backing of the Cats faithful, they did just that in a strong 27-point win over St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium. 

After booting the opening four goals of the game, the Cats never trailed in the contest and despite a number of momentum shifts and surges from St Kilda throughout the night, it remained a relatively even four-quarter performance from the home side. 

With seven changes made at team selection, there was plenty of attention on Geelong's inclusions which included debutant Jay Polkinghorne, who impressed in his AFL debut and looked lively up forward, despite being matched up against Saints star Callum Wilkie for the entire night. 

Gryan Miers was also sensational in his return, adding some polish in the front half and setting up opportunities for his teammates, while also having a scoreboard presence of his own with three goals. 

As is the case every week, Bailey Smith was able to find plenty of the footy and was damaging with ball in hand, Jack Henry was impenetrable in Geelong's defensive 50, while Tom Atkins and Jhye Clark also impressed with their hunger and toughness in the contest. 

Credit can also go to Oisin Mullin, who had the big job on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and did a commendable job on the Saints star, limiting him to fewer than 30 disposals for the first time in his last eight appearances. 

Not for the first time this year, the Cats got away to a hot start with Shaun Mannagh getting himself into the right place at the right time, running into an open goal to kick the first major of the night. 

Tom Atkins followed suit shortly after with a brilliant snap and then came the big moment for the debutant, with Jay Polkinghorne flying high to take an exceptional mark and nailing the set shot, his first career goal earning a rapturous ovation from the Cats faithful. 

Geelong had 13 of the first 14 inside 50s and kicked four goals before the Saints even registered a score, but the visitors were able to steady late in the term and trimmed the Cats' advantage to 14 points at quarter time. 

On his return to the AFL side, Jhye Clark brought plenty of energy in the defensive half early and had a number of nice moments, picking off four intercept possessions and recording two score involvements in the first quarter alone. 

A number of Geelong's inclusions for the match started to have an impact on the contest, spearheaded by Gryan Miers who kicked the Cats' opening two goals in the second quarter to extend their lead. 

The home side continued to generate plenty of chances throughout the term but started to squander opportunities in front of the big sticks, the margin increasing to 27 points by the main break, but perhaps not painting the full picture of Geelong's control on the match. 

Looking to ratchet up the pressure, nobody did that better than Tom Atkins as he finished the first half with 11 disposals, seven tackles and a goal, while Bailey Smith led the way with 17 possessions and six marks. 

Clark picked off a game-high seven intercept possessions up to half time, Miers registered six score involvements, while James Worpel also impressed with 16 disposals and seven inside 50s to go with his goal. 

Shannon Neale gave the Cats the perfect start in the second half with his first goal of the night, but then had to weather a storm as St Kilda responded with three consecutive goals to significantly cut into the margin. 

But when Geelong needed an answer, the skipper stood tall with Dangerfield hitting the scoreboard to help stem the tide, before Ollie Dempsey added another shortly after to give the Cats some breathing room. 

Miers capitalised on a quick opportunity off a turnover to curl through his third goal of the night, reestablishing Geelong's buffer and pushing the lead out to 29 points heading into the final break.   

Looking to assert their dominance and solidify their lead early in the final term, the ball fell into the hands of Bailey Smith and the superstar Cat made the most of his chance, launching one home from right on the 50 metre arc. 

Two Ollie's, Henry and Dempsey, then punched home a goal of their own, giving Geelong an unassailable lead midway through the final term. 

The debutant then capped off a sensational first outing in the Hoops with his second major, the Cats professionally closing out the game to secure a 27-point victory over the Saints. 

2026 AFL Season - Round 19

GEELONG    4.2   7.8   11.11  15.12   (102)  
ST KILDA     2.0   3.5    7.6     11.9    (75) 

GOALS
Geelong: Miers 3, O.Henry, Dempsey, Polkinghorne 2, Worpel, Smith, Neale, Mannagh, Dangerfield, Atkins 1
St Kilda: Marshall, Hall, Ryan 2, Silvagni, Lake, Higgins, Garcia, Wanganeen-Milera 1

BEST
Geelong: Smith, Miers, Humphries, Clark, Polkinghorne
St Kilda: Marshall, Garcia, Wilson, Silvagni, Phillipou

Crowd: 23,737 at GMHBA Stadium